As A Song of Praise Music Festival (ASOP) capped off its sixth year, the man behind the Philippines’s only praise songwriting competition expressed his aspiration for the program — for it to welcome compositions that exalt God from different nationalities, using different languages.
“My dream is for ASOP to be an international competition,” Bro. Eli Soriano said during the ASOP Year 6 Grand Finals staged on November 13, 2017 at the SMART-Araneta Coliseum.
The gospel music fest received the “Best Talent Search Program” from the Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards an evening before the said occasion.
With this recognition, Bro Eli conveyed his future dreams for ASOP and added the songs of praise music festival can be an instrument to awaken the curiosity of people, especially those who do not believe or do not know of God.
“Perhaps, this world will be a better world to live in if everybody believes that there is a Creator [who] wants us to love and care for one another. This is one of the purposes why ASOP started,” the Members Church of God International (MCGI) Overall Servant remarked through live stream.
A Successful Finale
While a future of penetrating the world music stage still awaits ASOP TV, the Year 6 Grand Finals Night was held triumphantly where 12 new praise songs were celebrated and performed in the Big Dome.
The Song of the Year award was given to Carlo David’s “Dahil Sa Iyo,” interpreted by RnB King Jay-R, who was also hailed as the Best Interpreter of the Year. The major prize came with Php500,000 while the Best Interpreter of the Year award earned for Jay-R Php50,000.
David, who was an interpreter in last year’s ASOP, shared, “I’ve already joined a lot of big competitions but ASOP is totally different because there is a purpose. I believe that through God’s grace, I was able to write ‘Dahil Sa Iyo’.Thank you ASOP for the opportunity.”
Other runner-up’s were Jessan May Mirador’s “You’re All I Need” sang by Kris Angelica, Lorna Petrasanta’s “Ikaw ang Aking Dios” sang by Liezel Garcia, and Zion Aquino’s “Hallelujah to The One” sang by Gail Blanco.
“Carry On”, a relatable piece composed by Nonie Ramos, PA Atienza, and Nino Cristobal, grabbed the People’s Choice Award, with Sam Mangubat as the interpreter.
Meanwhile, resident judge and veteran composer Mon Del Rosario lauded ASOP’s milestone of winning an award and reaching its sixth year on air.
“I think that more than any other project in the praise music genre, ASOP stands out. If you think of praise music in the Philippines, it’s impossible not to think of ASOP,” said Del Rosario.
He, together with other prominent names in the local music industry – Homer Flores, Carla Martinez, Dingdong Avanzado, The Company’s Moy Ortiz, and Atty. Marivic Benedict – served as judges during the finale.
Written by: Elizabeth Borromeo
